Page 101 of So Steady

“I know,” Tabby said. “He told us last night.”

Nicole gaped at her. “And you didn’t stop to think that maybe that’s more evidence that he’s not a petty criminal, and using his computer login isn’t the smoking gun you think it is? Unless you’ve found more compelling evidence to back up your stupid accusation?”

Tabby looked up at the ceiling. “Well…”

Sam pounded her fist into her palm. “Can we shut the fuck up about the money for a few seconds and discuss why Noah didn’t tell me he’s been to jail?”

Nicole rounded on her, theatrically rolling her eyes. “Why didn’t you ask? He would have told you if you did. Except you didn’t ask, because you were happy living in ignorance.”

“I wasn’t!”

“You were. You’ve got this thing where you don’t want to dig up anyone else’s dirty little past because then they might go digging up yours.”

Tabby gave a loud fake gasp. “Ooh savage call! Absolute savage!”

Sam’s face contorted in rage. “You’re so fucking perfect, aren’t you, Miss Clenched Asshole?”

“My butthole is perfectly relaxed, thanks.”

“Like fuck it is. Where do you get off judging me when your life is a museum?”

“What’s that suppo—”

“Aaron. The house. The watch. The way you mince around panicking about what everyone thinks about you all the time. You’re a conservative think-tanks idea of a sex robot.”

Nicole faked a laugh. “Oh, nice! Did you steal that one from John Oliver?”

Sam’s upper lip curled—she hated being accused of inauthenticity. That was the thing about sisters, about family; you knew the make and model of all their buttons.

“Okay, how’s this for a call. I know about your tattoo.”

Nicole was genuinely nonplussed. “What?”

“Your tattoo. I know you want it lasered off. I saw your search history.”

Tabby’s gasp was real as the rising sun. “Nix, you’re not! Youcan’t. What would Dad say?”

Buttons,Nicole thought.Family know where all the buttons are.“I’m not getting the daisy chain off.”

“So, someone else went to your laser consultation, did they?” Sam snarled. “I called, you know, pretended to be you. You went in this week.”

“But I haven’t booked in for the laser!”

“You will,” Sam said. “You don’t want it. You never wanted it.”

“Yes, I did!” Nicole looked at her sister, her eyes filling with tears. “It’s just a lot, sometimes. Tabby,please don’t cry.”

She stood, planning to hug her, but Sam stepped into her path. “You might as well get rid of it. Not like it means anything to you, Little Miss Perfect.”

“Of course, it means something! And I’m not perfect.”

Sam laughed. Even Tabby smiled through her tears.

“You are perfect,” Sam said, and she didn’t even sound that angry anymore. Just amused. Just smug. “You’re a Barbie gone wrong. Banging Noah’s the spiciest thing you’ve ever done.”

Anger popped in Nicole’s ears like firecrackers. She rushed forward and pushed her twin in the chest. “Fuck you.”

As always, saying the f-word felt strange, slippery and exhilarating. Sam gaped at her.

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